Microsoft Launches Office Online Server and SharePoint Server 2016

FREMONT, CA: Microsoft announces the release of SharePoint Server 2016, a team collaboration and enterprise document management software from Microsoft, which includes new hybrid capabilities that enable on-premises customers run SharePoint on their systems and experience similar services to that offered by Microsoft in Office 365.

Microsoft also announced the availability of Office Online Server, the successor to Office Web Apps Server 2013.

Office Online Server, allows businesses to host their Web-based Office experience to their end users, similar to the one offered to that of Office 365 customers, on Microsoft's public cloud. Users can create, edit and share content on SharePoint using an internet browser.

With the integration of SharePoint 2016 and Office Online Server, businesses are now able to access and perform real-time co-authoring of documents.

Office Online Server combined with Exchange Server 2016 allows users to view and edit file attachments using Outlook on the Web without leaving the browser.

The OneDrive app on iOS is allows users to access files stored in SharePoint sites, thus, enabling them to edit and share Office content or take it offline. Microsoft also aims to bring this feature to the OneDrive app on the Android and Windows mobile platforms.

The OneDrive app on the Android platform and web has a new Discover view feature –a new intelligent search capability that replicates Delve's ability to surface trending files and suggest content that pertains to a user's projects, connections and role within an organization. This feature will also be coming to the iOS and Windows Mobile versions in the future.

"We're currently working on a means for you to measure the reach of your files with embedded analytics that show over time how many people have discovered and viewed your files," writes Reuben Krippner, director of product management for Microsoft OneDrive, in a blog post. “Over time, the company will add likes, comments and mention counts,” he added.